Valentine’s Day, a day that began as a celebration of the one or more early Christian martyrs, Valentinus, has morphed into not only one of the most romantic days of the year, but one of the biggest gift giving days as well.  All you lovebirds out there are not the only ones who benefit from today, but many businesses do as well!  The National Retail Federation expects consumers to spend $17.6 billion this year on Valentine’s gifts and activities for not only their lovers, but for their friends, family members, and even their pets!   In a January survey, results showed that consumers, on average, will spend $126.03 for the holiday. This is an 8.5% rise from last year and the highest amount the survey has seen in its 10 year history!

From candy shops, to restaurants, to jewelers, Valentine’s Day provides a lucrative boost of sales during the somewhat slower winter months. Central Michigan Life Magazine interviewed Mark Ellis, owner of Four Season Floral. Ellis stated that his shop sells more than 2,000 roses the week of Valentine’s Day! Wow, that’s a lot of roses for a small town, especially when compared to their average sales volume of 200 roses per week! This trend is a common one in towns and cities all across the United States, and now, the Valentine’s Day spirit seems to be catching on internationally as well!

V-day has received wide recognition from China’s younger generation, even though it is not a traditional Chinese holiday, and Chinese small business owners are ecstatic about the benefits! Florists in China reported receiving a heavy volume of orders up to two weeks before the holiday, and chocolate shops have had to increase their supplies in order to keep up! As the Valentine’s Day trend seems to be more of a staple in the country, business owners there are learning how to capitalize. For example, many restaurants in Shanghai have begun to offer discounts to those who come in “hand in hand.” Even in countries like Iran, where Western practices are strongly rejected, Valentine’s Day perseveres. Shopkeepers reported a significant increase in demand for roses, cards, and teddy bears this season.

Although candy, flowers, and fancy jewelry tend to dominate the Valentine gift-giving market, there is still opportunity for various other industries to profit. Look at your products and markets; see how you can position yourself for the Valentine’s Day consumer. For example, the pizza industry learned how cash in with no other than….the heart shaped pizza! They have actually started quite the trend; according to Google, Google searches for “heart-shaped pizzas” have increased 230% since January! Google’s report also stated that last year Papa John’s sold more than 60,000 heart shaped pizzas and expects to sell 75,000 this year!

Is your small business feeling the love? What are you offering for Valentine’s Day? Send us feedback and pictures via our Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ pages! And last but not least, Corporate Tax Network wishes everyone a very happy Valentine’s Day!

Little help with stolen tax returns: MyFoxTAMPABAY.com

Written By Kristin Wright of FOX 13 News

MyFox Tampa- TAMPA – The IRS makes it shockingly easy to defraud its own system. It takes exactly two pieces of information to file a fraudulent tax return and get the refund: a name, and a corresponding Social Security number.

“Everybody watching this interview is a potential target,” Corporate Tax Network’s Bert Seither said.

Corporate Tax Network in Clearwater offers a free service helping people who have been victimized. They work to navigate the red tape to get their money from the IRS.

Seventy percent of taxpayers use the IRS electronic filing system. By law, tax preparers are required to use it. E-File revolutionized the way and the speed federal returns are processed.

But the benefits come with consequences, worsened by the rise in identity theft and the fall of the economy.

Certified Public Accountant Suzanne Cox with Saltmarsh, Cleaveland, & Gund in Tampa says it’s simple for someone other than you to file your return, even with wrong information.

Cox is a victim herself.

“On most returns, they don’t actually have a physical person reviewing your tax return. It’s all done electronically,” explained Cox. “You’re pretty much trusting the electronic system to act like a human, which of course we know that it can’t.”

File early.

“If their return is filed before the criminal files the return, the criminal’s return will get rejected,” said Seither, who gets calls from victims several times a week.

Victims have found it impossible to get timely answers from the I.R.S.

“Many of the people on the front line are hired as seasonal workers or employees with not a lot of training,” Seither said.

Florida’s U.S. Senators say they’re committed to fixing the problem. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) has introduced legislation.

“I think we also have to create a better reporting mechanism, where when someone knows their identity has been stolen, they have a mechanism of reporting it immediately to the IRS, so they can be on the lookout for this type of fraudulent behavior,” Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) told FOX 13.

It can happen to anyone, even twice.

“It took probably six months for them to do the investigation to prove my husband is who he said he was, and the next year it happened again,” said Cox. “It’s pretty much a race to who gets there first.”

Besides filing early, it’s also important that you check your credit report at least once a year and be careful about who you give your Social Security number to. The number one place where Social Security numbers are stolen are at medical facilities, like clinics and hospitals.

Do you own a pool company, or maybe a landscaping company? Or maybe you are the owner of a beautiful oceanfront bar. Either way, it is safe to say if you fit into any of the above categories, that it is your off season. Generating enough revenue in just a few short months, when most businesses have the whole year, can be a stressful endeavor. Many seasonal businesses face the question “How can I make more of a profit throughout my offseason months?”   Can’t think of anything? Don’t worry! We are here to help. Here are some of Corporate Tax Network’s best tips for seasonal businesses to generate some off season income:

Add More Products and/or Services: This is probably one of the most obvious ways, but tread carefully: you want to be careful not to stray too far from your brand image. For instance, if you are an oceanfront bar or restaurant, it would not make sense for you to start selling snow shovels during the winter months. However, if you are a landscaping company, in addition to providing landscaping services, during winter months you can also provide services such as snow removal and shoveling, and maybe sell items aimed at de-icing or protecting your shrubbery during the colder months.

Make Your Season Last As Long As Possible: You can always start your season earlier and end your season later. Early bird promotions as well as post-season sales are a great way to bring in mass amounts of revenue. Also, do your research on your industry! You never know what type of niche you may find. For example, an owner of a Christmas tree company discovered “Orthodox Christmas.” By doing his research, he learned that Orthodox Christians actually celebrate Christmas on or near January 7^th. He realized that by shifting his marketing efforts to this niche group, he could extend his season and generate more revenue.

Take Advantage of Your Off Season Time: This rule applies whether you are open for business or not. If you can find a way to generate revenue and remain open for business in your off season, then great! If not- this is not a time to just sit pretty. Use it to be productive! Catch up on paperwork, organization techniques, reevaluate your marketing and operations strategies; there is always something that you can improve on you just need to find it!

Market In The Off Season: Start stirring up hype in your off season. During winter, everyone is excited for summer. During summer, everyone is excited for the holiday spirit and the first snow. Take advantage of this! Off season is also a great time for you to discount your products, and it tough times like these, people are jumping at the chance for a good deal! Don’t think for a second that just because it is July, someone will not buy a fake Christmas tree that is being sold at 50% off.

What Worked Once Will Not Necessarily Work Again: Just because something works one summer, does not necessarily mean that it will work the summer after. Seasonal businesses tend to disaffiliate themselves from the market in the off season, this is a big mistake! Year-round you must be consistently tracking trends and data that might have an effect once you open in your season. Before opening day each season, you should spend time on evaluating your strategies and making any adjustments necessary.

Take Some Time For You! Seasonal businesses are usually crazy during their peak season. Take some relaxation time while you can! You need time to mentally recharge so that you can be at your best performance during your critical months.

Liked this article? For more small business tips, be sure to follow Corporate Tax Network on Twitter, Facebook and Google+!

Business Insider – Your employees might not hate their jobs, but that doesn’t mean they’re motivated to do any more for your organization than they have to.

A new report by the Society for Human Resource Management found that 83% of American employees in 2011 were satisfied with their jobs, but far less — only a little more than half — were actually focused and enthusiastic about their work. (Read the rest of this article at www.businessinsider.com)

The article also quotes “Since one of the most important things to employees was the opportunity to use their skills and abilities, the report suggests that employers can improve job satisfaction and engagement by tapping the talent within the organization instead of hiring from outside.”

So, how can you do this? As a small business owner, how can you motivate your employees? Here are what we at Corporate Tax Network believe to be some of the best ways to motivate employees.

People Want More Than Just Money: Employees do not want to feel like they are simply slaving away at a 9-5pm just to make a paycheck. You need to create a solid company vision. You need to make your employees feel like they are a part of a team, a community, something bigger than simply their task at hand. You want to spread a sense of pride and enthusiasm when it comes to working at your company. What you do not want are zombie-like employees, going though the same mundane routine to simply secure their finances. Make sure everyone knows that they are playing a key role in the organization, and are vital to its success.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T: Whether it is your business partner or the janitor, everyone should be treated with the same amount of respect. We all know the Golden Rule “One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.” If you treat everyone who works for you with  the same respect you would want yourself, they will not only will they return the action, but they will be more likely to want to perform better for yourself as well as your organization.

Having an Effective Recognition and Reward System: All employees want to be appreciated and be reassured that they are doing a good job, which is why effective recognition is extremely important. Whether it is verbally, via email, or through some sort of tangible reward, whatever fits best for your organization, when someone does something great, they should be recognized and/or rewarded for it.

Encourage Employee Input and Feedback: Employees want to feel like they are involved and like their opinion matters. You should constantly be asking for feedback from them. Do they have any suggestions on how to improve business operations? What do they think can be done in order to make their role more efficient and effective? You should also be giving your employees regular performance feedback; consistently reviewing performance and giving praise when appropriate, as well as constructive criticism on what they can be doing better. When you take interest in helping your employees improve, it shows that you genuinely and reinforces a sense of job security.

Set An Example: As the owner, CEO, manager, etc., you need to be consistently engaged yourself, and be obvious about it. You need to constantly demonstrate your passion for the company, and your motivation, work ethic, and drive; these qualities are contagious and will spread like wildfire.

Loosen the Reigns: Delegate some of the control. People want to be able to have control of their work; to an extent at least. Employees should if not have the complete ability, have strong input, in setting their own goals and defining their task.

Locate the Passion: Nothing gold can stay. People lose their lust, their passion for a job they maybe once loved. If it is a good employee worth keeping, help them find it again! Identify what they are passionate about and see how that can be included in their day to day activities. Maybe there is another position at the company they would be a better fit for.

If you liked this article, be sure to follow Corporate Tax Network on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ for daily small business and tax tips!

“It’s not necessarily the big hole that’ll sink a ship; that one you can plug. It’s the hundred little pin holes that are hard to find,” says Al Titone, the district director of the New Jersey Small Business Administration. A company’s cash flow is it’s lifeline to staying afloat. If you are startup, you must build a substantial cash flow to fuel your growth. If you are an established small business, in today’s economy especially, it is vital that you monitor your cash flow flawlessly, to be sure that in times of uncertainty, your business can still run. At Corporate Tax Network, we want to see you survive and thrive in these rough economic times. Here are, what we believe to be, our top cash flow tips for startup companies and small businesses!

Don’t Spend Money Before You Have It: Many small businesses and startups invest in fancy offices with high rent, expensive furniture, and other aesthetically pleasing purchases with the belief that these things are crucial to impress clients and/or potential clients. Well, all that is great, but not if you do not have the money to stay afloat. Do not splurge on fancy items and your dream office space before you have a sufficient enough cash flow to sustain your business and all of its necessities, such as salaries, rent, etc.

Do You Really Need To Rent An Office Space? At first thought, you might say to yourself “Duh, of course I do!” But think about it- in today’s digital day and age, do you really? There are plenty of companies who fully operate via telecommuting and the internet. Explore these options and see if they are a fit for your business operations.

Prepare For Taxes: Small businesses should do an analysis of income and expenses every month so that when it comes time to pay the tax man, they can form an estimate of what the bill will be.

Don’t Take On More Full Time Employees Than Needed: Taking on a full time employee is a huge financial responsibility. Not only are you taking on their salary, but you are also taking on various other costs such as benefits, additional taxes, potential bonuses, etc. If your business is small or just starting out, only take on the number of full time employees which are completely necessary. Temporary workers and interns can be great solutions to your labor needs, and come at a much cheaper cost.

Put Those Negotiation Skills to Work! When dealing with vendors, ALWAYS try to drive their prices down; you will be surprised to see how much money you will save by the simple act of bargaining. Many small business owners simply accept most prices and do not even try. Times are tough right now for everyone, vendors want your business and they will most likely work with you on price points. Like they say, you never know if you don’t try.

Keep Your Fixed Costs Low: Try to make as many of your costs flexible as you can. If you commit to too many large fixed costs, you might find yourself in trouble when sales are down and expenses are the same. If you already have most of your fixed expenses set in stone, maybe it is time to reevaluate. Most businesses do not consider rethinking these large costs such as rent, insurance, etc, but it is always worth a shot to attempt re-negotiating a lease, or maybe getting proposals from other insurance companies.

Evaluate Variable Costs: Many businesses get stuck in the norm for variable costs. They use the same vendor monthly for office supplies, catering orders, etc. Look at different vendors and compare prices! Also, there are tons of coupons and daily deals out there that are worth utilizing.

Conduct Thorough Marketing Research: Business owners spend way too much money on marketing way too quickly. You need to have a thoroughly researched marketing strategy and plan, as well as a way to measure your marketing ROI. Advertising and promoting your business can get extremely expensive, why continue to waste money in a specific channel if it turns out it is not getting you any customers or new recognition?

For more startup and/or small business tips, be sure to follow CTN on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +. If you would to speak to one of our representatives about different services we might be able to offer you or your small business, give us a call at 866-893-5730.

President Obama announced on Wednesday that he will begin a new initiative aimed at “bringing jobs home” to encourage US based companies to bring their manufacturing facilities back to the United States, as well as promoting investment in US factories by foreign companies. The goal is to bring manufacturing jobs that were once moved overseas, back to the United States, by providing tax incentives, the details of which have not been released yet.  ”My message to business leaders today is simple: Ask yourselves what you can do to bring jobs back to the country that made our success possible. And I’m going to do everything in my power to help you do it,” Obama said after meeting with the executives at a White House forum Wednesday to discuss ways to boost domestic investment.

In the past two years, we have seen an increase in manufacturing jobs returning home to the states, with companies, especially the aerospace, chemical, and furniture industries, all expanding their factory operations in the US.  President Obama declared that we have begun to see a new trend, which he uses the term “in-sourcing,” referring to bringing jobs that were once outsourced, back to the United States.  Obama is said to offer new proposals in the upcoming weeks, which will provide tax incentives and rewards to those companies that either bring back jobs or investing in new opportunities in the US. Also, $12 million of the proposed 2013 budget, which has not yet been released, will be dedicated to enhance a federal program aimed at bringing new business to the US.

Countries that once had a significant advantage over us, in regards to manufacturing, have recently experienced increases in labor costs which are slowly minimizing that once strong competitive edge. As for companies that, despite this statistic, continue to move jobs overseas, they will no longer receive the same tax breaks which were applicable to them. Obama has tried to do away with these breaks before, but it was not able to pass through Congress. This idea, allowing for companies to bring large profits back from abroad without taxing them on all or any of it, is referred to as tax repatriation, and has been a topic of debate for years. It is strongly favored by Republicans and many Democrats as well.

Will this work? Or a better question, would new tax proposals of this caliber even pass? The effect our tax code has on job growth and creation has been an argument between Democrats and Republicans for ages. Democrats believe it is our tax policy which drives companies to move factories overseas, while Republicans tend to believe that this globalization has actually helped job creation and growth in the US. Although details regarding the specifics of these tax proposals and incentives have not been released, experts say that a small change in tax policy would most likely only be a minimal factor when deciding on the location of manufacturing facilities. “There’s been a little bit of momentum on ‘in-sourcing’ because a lot of firms overdid it,” said Jared Bernstein, the former chief economic adviser to Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. “So it could help a bit at the margin.”

For more up to date tax and small business news, don’t forget to follow Corporate Tax Network on Twitter, Facebook, and Google +!

By Stef DiPietrantonio
FOX 13 News

My Fox Tampa Bay-  PINELLAS PARK – The IRS is severely backlogged — so much so that many people are cheating the system and running scams.

That’s not just delaying people who need help filing their taxes. It’s also keeping people who deserve legitimate refunds from getting them.

Nina Olson, who is a taxpayer advocate, releases a report every year, and this year, the report card is not good.

She said to cope with its growing workload the IRS is relying more on computer software to weed out fraud. But the errors are rampant, and that’s causing major delays.

Nancy Elliott, a Pinellas Park woman who had her identity stolen, said it took her two years to get her refund.

“I’m a patient woman,” she said. “But I was really starting to lose it.”

Elliott was steaming mad. She filed her 2009 tax return online, only to learn she’d already filed it.

At least that’s what the IRS thought, according to its records. Someone had already cheated the system.

She was a victim of identity theft. They told her they would get back to her.

“Give it 30 to 60 days,” Elliott said. “Another one said give it 90 days. They said, ‘OK, wait 120 days! It just went on and on and on and on.”

Until Elliott was fed up with it.

“If I don’t get my taxes back from you guys, I’m going to not file from now on,” she threatened over the phone.

Within 30 days of Christmas 2010, she got her refund, but the nightmare continued.

“I was getting bills from the IRS,” she said. “It started out as $300, then … I think it was $800, then it went up a couple thousand, then it went up more than $9,000.”

“$9,000 tax bill looming over her shoulders that she knows she didn’t owe,” said Bert Seither of the Corporate Tax Network in Clearwater, whom Elliott credits with clearing her name in just one day. He volunteered to help people get through their tax crisis.

“Well, everybody had the house-on-fire mentality,” he said.

“Our company, as well as other CPA’s and tax accountants in the US do have contacts inside the IRS that they can reach out to directly to resolve an issue, whereas your average taxpayer just might pick up the phone and speak to what’s essentially a customer service representative who will document the file and say we’ll be in touch,” Seither said.

Tax fraud is up. In September, the Tampa Bay area saw a massive haul of millions of dollars in tax returns that were on their way to identity thieves.

Elliott said she thinks she was targeted because she was on her deathbed.

“We honestly think that it was stolen when I was in the hospital. I was not supposed to live. I was dying of blood clots in the lungs,” she said.

Her Social Security number was readily available for anyone to steal it, but the retired Army drill sergeant trainer never gave up.

“It was like 1,000 pounds lifted off my shoulders,” she sighed.

“It’s going to happen is the bottom line. It’s going to happen,” Seither said.

Nancy Elliott got one more thing besides a refund from the IRS.

“They have acknowledged that my identity was stolen, finally,” she said.

How long did it take?

“Two and a half years,” she said.

Seither said the most important thing you can do is file your taxes as early as possible. The longer you wait, the longer your information may be sitting out there, just waiting for scammers to jump on it.

And always get the badge number of the person you’re speaking to on the first call, Seither recommends.

That way, if you have to call them back, you can pickup the conversation right where you left off. They’ll have a documented history.

Most of all, Seither and Elliott said be patient. Your money will eventually come.

“Should the rich be required to pay higher taxes?” A question which has been the center of a much heated debated among legislators nationwide, as an attempt to fix deficits and bridge the growing gap between the rich and the poor has taken center stage. New York State announced a new agreement this week, which will raise almost $2 billion from New York’s millionaires.

Under the plan, backed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a millionaire is considered to be those who make more than $2 million in taxable income per year. This new deal seems to be somewhat of a compromise when it comes to settling the debate of the question at hand. Under the Millionaire’s Tax rates for the wealthy were 8.97%. The announced decision will set the tax rate at 8.82%, not as high as the Millionaire’s Tax but substantially higher than the state’s average rate of 6.85%. This plan will provide significant relief for New York’s middle class. Those who earn $40,000 to $300,000 in taxable income annually will see lowered rates, from 6.85 percent to 6.45 percent. These new rates will go into effect on January 1, 2012 and will expire 3 years later, resulting in tax breaks of $200 to $400 a year, for 4.4 million New York residents.

Wednesday night, the Senate passed the new agreement 55-0, and the Assembly approved 130-8 early Thursday. The idea is, the tax breaks received by the middle class will be paid for by the rise in taxes for those making over $2 million a year, as well as single filers who make $1 million or more a year. Cuomo expects the new deal to help job stimulation in New York State, due to certain cuts and construction spending .The deal will also help out New York’s small businesses, by cutting the amount that some companies contribute to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which was enacted as part of a payroll tax in 2009. Also, private grade schools and parochial schools will no longer be subject to the payroll tax.

“Our state government has come together in a bipartisan manner to create jobs, grow our economy and, at the same time enact a fair tax plan that cuts taxes for the middle class,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement. This is the first time which these rates have been lowered in 50 years.  However, many still do not agree with the decision, and believe much more needs to be done to solve New York State’s deficit problems. Assembly Republican leader Brian Kolb said “taxes are being raised in New York State and we are still not dealing with our state’s serious spending problem … tax hikes have never been the answer for creating more private sector jobs and long-term prosperity for New Yorkers.”

To see if these new tax cuts, as well as others, may apply to you, call Corporate Tax Network at 866-893-5730. Also, for more daily tax news and tips be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+!

Wall Street Journal- When the twin towers of the World Trade Center fell in 2001, it seemed like the end of the race for the sky. It was inconceivable that anyone would want to build, or inhabit, such a conspicuous terrorist target again. But history is rich in ironies; if the age of the skyscraper was over, it was only because the age of the superskyscraper had already begun. Advances in structural engineering, materials and technology, global financial shifts and the timeless incentives of ego and profit have created gigantic towers that are shattering all previous records for size. They are changing skylines and lives around the world.

So where does The Empire State Building fit in the age of the superskyscraper? Many companies have steered away from utilizing the office space in the building for several reasons, such as the fear of taking refuge in such a prime terrorist target, but dating even further back than 9/11, the landmark has been criticized by many for insufficient maintenance and “disfiguring modernizations” as well.  At Corporate Tax Network, we are proud to have one of our offices located on the 60^th floor of the Empire State Building, and we believe this architectural NYC gem has most definitely redeemed its former glory.

Some may say this famous NYC landmark had once “lost its luster” to the World Trade Center, when the towers took the title of “The Tallest Building in Manhattan.” Though the World Trade Center did break the record of scale, being an iconic landmark is about much more than that. The incredible architecture and ambiance of The Empire State Building has set a precedent for New York City’s style and a standard of beauty for its famous skyline.

In 2006, owners made the decision to invest in a serious makeover of the building, as opposed to selling it off to new management. Since the initiation of the upgrading program in 2007, $550 million has been spent on renovating the space over the past 3 years, and improvements are only expected to continue. The building is well on its way to becoming a state-of-the-art property and has returned to its 1930’s-esque Art Deco style, which had been lost with past makeover attempts. And of course, The Empire State Building will forever be a New York City, as well as national, landmark, giving it a marketing edge and selling point that no other property in Manhattan can compete with.

For more details on the renovations and improvement, read the whole article in the Wall Street Journal! Or, come and check out Corporate Tax Network’s office located on the 60^th floor! Call us now for your free tax consultation at 866-893-5730. You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+!

For all of you small business owners who have benefitted from the Section 179 deduction and/or bonus depreciation, we have some taxing (no pun intended) news for you. If you have not heard yet, these two tax breaks, which have been available to qualified small business owners throughout the recession, are about to dramatically shrink. These breaks were approved by Congress with hopes of creating economic stimulation, and making it easier for small businesses to grow and hire. What does this mean for small businesses that have been benefitting from these tax breaks? For one thing, year end tax planning for 2011 will be crucial.

Section 179 allows a small business to deduct upfront as opposed to depreciating the costs of pricey equipment. For example, computers, manufacturing machines, furniture, etc. As of now, the break allows you deduct up to $500,000. In 2012, that number will decrease to $125,000, and will continue to drop in the years to follow. The bonus depreciation takes Section 179 a step further. Currently, in 2011, the bonus depreciation is 100 percent, the maximum that you can deduct under both breaks combined is $2 million. For the year 2012, bonus depreciation is expected to decrease to 50 percent. These breaks have been able to provide small businesses with accelerated tax savings. Under normal provisions, equipment costs are deducted over a much longer period of time, and follow an IRS set formula.

Does it make sense to buy equipment now, before the changes go into effect? It could. But this should be a carefully thought over decision.  Your decision to buy new equipment should not solely rest on the tax code. If you are expanding your office space, and were planning on purchasing the furniture later down the road, that might be a purchase you would want to expedite. There is a slight catch, for equipment to qualify for the breaks in the 2011 tax code, it must be up and running by December 31, 2011. If you order equipment before year end, but install it in January, regulations for the 2011 tax breaks will not be applicable.

Every small business is different. What makes sense for one company might be a wrongful move for another. If you are a small business owner, and would like to know if these tax breaks, or other tax breaks, may be applicable to you, call Corporate Tax Network at 866-893-5730. Also, for more small business tax tips, don’t forget to check us out on Facebook and on Twitter!